The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-01
A BAG OF BONES
Which Was All That Was Left of
Stewart.
STORY OF A WELL KNOWN DETECTIVE.

NEW lORh, OClODer oU.---l ne mystery winch
has so long enveloped the fate of the body OF
the millionaire dry goods dealer, AlexanderT
Stewart, forms the subject of a chapter in SUI
perintendent G. w. Wallihg's book, "The Re-
collections of New York Chief of Police
which is soon to be published. The ex-super-
intendent processes to give the only true story
of the stealing of the body, and also alleges
that the body was subsequently returned to re-
| personalities of Judge Hilton.
The remains were buried in ST. Mark s church
| yard, corner of Second avenue3nd Tenth street,
| i'll an underground vault, the entrance to which
was covered by tlagstone, which, in turn was
sodded over with the surrounding surface, so
that there was no outward evidence of its loca-
ton.
Judge Hilton had discovered evidences that
the vault had boon tempered with, and set a
watch, but as nothing further TRANSFERRED, the
watch was withdrawn and three nights later,
that is, on the night of November 9Th, or the
morning of November 9TH, 1873, the vault was
broken open and the remains stolen. Judge
Hilton was firmly of the opinion that the SEX
ton or his assistant had guilty knowledge of
the transaction, but this was never known.
The judge at once offered a reward of $25 900
for the return of the body and the conviction
OF the grave robbers.
The first clew came from General Patrick
Jones, eX-postmaster of New York, who noti-
fled Walling that an eX-soldier who had served
under him claimed to know something about
the Stewart body, and with proper encourage
ment would give information leading to its re-
Covery.
The superintendent submitted the offer to
Judge Hilton, who declared he would never
pay ono cent for Mr.. Stewards bones unless
they came accompanied by the thieves in irons.
General Jones was persistent and wanted to
work the case and arrange for burying the
body. He showed letters from the thieves,
and few days later gave to the police pack
age expressed to him from Boston, containing q
coffin plate, which was identified by the en-
graver who had done tho work. To complete
their Identification the robbers sent piece of
paper that fitted exactly the hole in the velvet
cover of the coffin cut out by tho thieves when
the body was removed. This is now in the
hands of Sexton Hamill, and tho coffin plate
is ut police headquarters Judge Hilton re-
manned unalterable and the case was dropped
by the authorities, but continued by private
detectives. Mrs. Steward differed with her
body.
Learning this fact tho robbers opened cores
pondence with her directly. No trace of the
body or thieves was found until January, 1882,
when General Jones called at headquarters.
He brought with him parcel which contained
the silver knobs and several of the handles be-
longing to the coffin III which the body had
been buried. He Also showed some letters
which he had received. They purported to
have been written in Canada, and were signed
by Henry q. Romano" With the first letter
as attorney for the return of the body upon
the payment of S250,000. Tho letter then
went on to tell the hour at which the body
was taken; how it was incosed in zinc
lined trunk and taken to Canada and burie d.
1t said the features were perfectly preserved,
except the eyes. This was the letter which
inclosed the bit of paper corresponding to the
size of the hole in the velvet, and promised il
further proof was required, to send the cof-
fin plate upon the insertion in the New York
nf do. 10
Counsel"
This was done, and under date Of Boston,
January 81, 1879, letter came, saying the
plate was sent from there to avoid the scrutiny
of customs officials on the Canadian border.
The plate was received and identified. Gen
eral Jones was instructed, in case the relatives
were ready to negotiate for the remains to i'm
sert this personal in tho Herald: "Canda,--
VIII do business. Counsel"
This was done at Judge Hilton'S request.
The reply which came from Boston ON the 18th
of February set forth the terms upon which
the body would be restored.
l. The amount to be paid shall DO $200,000
9. The body will be delivered to yourself and
Judge Hilton within twenty-five miles of the
city of Montreal, and no other persons shall DO
present.
3. The money is to be placed in your hands
or under your control until Judge Hilton is
fully satisfied, when you will deliver it to my
representative.
q. Both parties to maintain forever an UNI
broken silence i'll regard tothe transaction.
Judge Hilton refused to agree to the terms
proposed, and further declined to negotiate
through the medium of personals" Romano
was written to- General Jones informing him
of the condition of things. His reply was soon
received, ordering Mr.. Jones to break OFF all
communication with Judge Hilton and open
negotiations with Mrs Stewart No notice
was taken of this request, but in March Judge
Hilton made an offer of $f25 900 for the body
General Jones made the fact known to Ro-
mane who respectfully but firmly declined.
This closed the correspondence The robbers,
becoming discouraged, now offered to sell the
body for 100000. Mrs. Stewart was willing,
and ordered her representative to pay the
amount. They delayed matters until the figure
was reduced to 10000, which was accepted.
The conditions of delivery were severe.
The messenger with the money was to
leave New York city at 10 p. IN. alone in
ter county, along lonely road which was indi-
Gated on map sent by the thieves. Some time
before morning, If the man was acting in good
a ono-horse wagon and drive into Wcstches-
faith and was not accompanied or followed by
detectives, he would be met and given further
directions A young relative Of Mrs. Stewart
undertook the hazardous errand. Two or three
times during the night he was certain That he
was closely watched, but it was
three o'clock when masked
horseman rode up, gave the signal
agreed upon, and turned the buggy mp q lonely
lane. The strange visitor here left him direct
my MIN 10 urlNe on. Az the Gnu OF dnOlhcF
mile he became aware that another wagon was
blocking the way. He paused. A masked
man promptly appeared and brought for
ward q bag to his buggy saying: "Iicre It's
where's the money!
"Where's the proof Of IDENTIFY" asked
the messenger, as the bag containing the NOR
tai romans Of A. T.. Stewart were lifted into
the buggy.
"Here," said the other holding up an irregu-
lar bit Of velvet and opening n bulls eye Ian
tern with a click. The piece was compared
with bit Of paper Of the same shape which
the New Yorker had brought with him TO this
lonely spot.
Come, hurry up" was the command.
The messenger obeyed by producing the
money and the robbers retired few feet and
counted it by the light Of their lantern. Then
they moved off to their vehicle and the mes
senger OF Mrs. Stewart drove back the way he
had come.
The next night freight car went out to
Garden City, containing nothing except a
trunk, and on it sat man who had spent the
previous night in the loneliest part Of
Westchcster county. An empty coffin had
been already deposited in the cathedral and at
tho dead Of night two men transferred the
bones from the trunk They then placed the
coffin in an inaccessible vault beneath the
dome. II ony one should ever again touch UNI
hidden the vault which holds the bones Of the